The Outlaw - DVD - Jane Russell
In Love and on the run

Sound: Mono
Year made: 1943
Country: United Kingdom
Duration: 116 mins.
Print: Black & white
Genre: Classic Western Romance / Drama
NEW

Directed by: Howard Hughes & Howard Hawks
Jack Beutel .... Billy the Kid
Jane Russell .... Rio McDonald
Thomas Mitchell .... Pat Garrett
Walter Huston .... Doc Holliday
Mimi Aguglia .... Guadalupe
Joe Sawyer .... Charley

Howard Hughes & Howard Hawks directed this version of the Billy the Kid vs Pat Garrett story. The film was to scandalise the film censors at the time because of the sexual content and it took years of wrangling before it was finally released. One reason for the scandal came in the shape of Jane Russell who, as the half breed Rio, becomes the companion and girlfriend of Billy the Kid who is fleeing the law with Doc Holiday. Together they are being tracked relentlessly by on old friend, Sheriff Pat Garrett, leading to a tense game of cat and mouse. The excitement stirs many feelings though and Billy can't resist the attentions of the beautiful Rio who finds resistence is not just futile but impossible.

'Jane Russell' got the role after a nationwide search by Howard Hughes for a busty actress. Once they'd found her, Howard Hughes and his aircraft engineers designed a special cantilevered bra to enhance the appearance of 'Jane Russell' 's bust. She never wore it, but this movie was the reason the famous bra was designed.

Although the film was finished and copyrighted in February 1941, it was not shown theatrically for another 2 years, mostly because of censorship problems which required cuts and revisions. By May 1941, the PCA agreed to approve the film, but Hughes found that many state censor boards wanted a lot more cuts that he was not willing to make, so he shelved the film until 5 February 1943, when it was finally shown theatrically in San Francisco in the 115-minute version that we essentially see today. It caused quite a sensation, especially since 'Jane Russell' and 'Jack Buetel' performed a 20-minute scene that was cut from the film after each showing. More hassles about its possible release in New York caused Hughes to shelve the picture once again.

When re-released in San Francisco on 23 April 1946, the theater owner was arrested for showing a film "offensive to decency." The MPAA maintained that Howard Hughes switched prints and did not show the version that was approved. Hughes resigned from the MPAA and filed a $1,000,000 lawsuit demanding triple damages. He lost the suit and all the appeals. Despite the legal battles and many bans, United Artists continued to roadshow the film in 1946 and 1947 and it set records almost everywhere it was shown. Originally banned in New York, it was finally shown on 11 September 1947 when the ban was lifted.

Howard Hawks started as director but quit after 2 weeks, ostensibly to direct Sergeant York (1941). But Howard Hughes, who had the dailies flown to Los Angeles daily, had complained that Hawks was not spending enough time filming, which probably precipitated his leaving. Hughes took over as director in December 1940 and announced all scenes would be re-shot by Gregg Toland, who replaced the original cinematographer, Lucien Ballard. However, screenwriter Jules Furthman filled in for Hughes as director on 31 December 1940 and often thereafter.

The Outlaw was the first American film that defied the "Production Code" of the Hays Office, which dictated what could and could not be shown on screen.

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